With the Rookie Draft starting earlier than expected, he hadn’t seen his name appear and was now utterly speechless.

“I just couldn’t believe it,” he said.

I just walked out of the office in disbelief, it was ridiculous.”

After enjoying the night with his family, including his “hysterical” mum and a surprise visit from his premiership-winning North Adelaide coach Josh Carr, the young accountant returned to the office for one final visit.

“I went back in on Saturday morning and cleaned out the desk,” Wilkie said.